Receiver set, information apparatus and receiving system

ABSTRACT

For providing a receiving contract service being convenient or friendly to both the broadcast service providers and the viewers, and in particular, for providing a digital broadcast receiver set, an information apparatus and a digital broadcasting receiving system, there is provided a system in which a digital broadcast receiver set  100 , an output apparatus  110  and recording apparatuses  120  and  130  are connected with a control bus  10 , wherein there are provided a designated program devising portion  203  for extracting a plurality of programs at the same time, a receiving contract managing portion  212  for managing information relating to receiving contacts, and an output destination supervising portion  213  for managing distributing destination of the broadcast programs at the present, thereby distributing the broadcast programs to the output apparatus  110  and/or the recording apparatuses  120  and  130 , on a basis of the contents of the receiving contracts.

The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No.09/245,347, filed Feb. 5, 1999, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a receiver set, an informationapparatus and a system for receiving transmitted digital information.The present invention in particular, relates to connections of theapparatuses within the system which reproduces and records the receiveddigital data upon a basis of a receiving contract. Hereinafter, theinvention will be explained when being applied to the system, theapparatus and/or the receiver set for receiving video/audio informationof various broadcast programs which are distributed by the digitalbroadcast services. However, the present invention not limited only tothis, it also can be applied to a system and/or an apparatus relating tosending and receiving of data, such as one for data transmission, with asimilar construction.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

In recent years, digital broadcasting services using a communicationsatellite began in United States of America, and also Japan starteddigital multi-channel broadcasting using the communication satellite(CS) from 1996, therefore, various kinds of digital broadcastingservices will be available in the coming future. Further, the study indigitalization of the current broadcasting with use of ground radiowaves (analogue broadcasting) has also progressed.

In the current digital broadcasting services, with use of the formatMPEG2-TS (Transport Stream), i.e., the multiplexing and separatingmethod for coping with multi-programs, a plurality of programs aremultiplexed and distributed, and the audio/video data of the aimed ordesignated program is extracted by a digital broadcast receiver set.

As the broadcasting services, in addition to a free broadcastingservice, there are also offered services, including a charge or paybroadcasting service, for which a receiving contract must be made, and aPPV (pay per view) broadcasting service, with which a fee must be paidfor an amount of viewing thereof, etc.

Under such the situation, in particular, in a field of householdelectric appliances and computers, etc., there is aggressively studiedand developed a digital broadcast receiver set for receiving such thedigital broadcast programs, as well as a digital TV for reproducing thereceived programs and a digital VTR for recording thereof.

Further, as one of such communication systems, a transmission systemusing IEEE 1394 Serial Bus or USB (Universal Serial Bus) is proposed, inwhich the data and the control signals are transmitted and/or receivedbetween or among the digital apparatuses connected by a controller buswhich can transmit the data and the control signals in mixture thereof.In this system, depending upon various connection modes of theapparatuses, a node ID is automatically assigned to each apparatusthereof. If an apparatus is newly added into that system, or isextracted or taken out therefrom, a bus reset is executed, so as toautomatically assign the node IDs to them corresponding to the new modeof the connection, again.

Here, in the current receiver for the digital broadcasting, only oneprogram which is aimed or selected is extracted from the plurality ofthe programs which are distributed or transmitted in multiplexedcondition, to be displayed onto an output device such as the TV,therefore, only one channel can be displayed to be viewed at onetime.Therefore, for a plurality of people to view the different broadcastprograms respectively, there must be provided a plurality of the digitalbroadcast receiver sets. For instance, for viewing the plurality ofdigital broadcast programs on the plurality of output devices in a home,the plurality of the digital broadcast receiver sets must be purchasedcorresponding to the number thereof. This, however, causes a problemthat it is very uneconomical or money consuming for the users.

Further, for viewing the pay broadcast programs and the PPV broadcastprograms with the digital broadcast receiver sets mentioned above, areceiving contract is necessary for each one set of the digitalbroadcast receiver. Accordingly, the contract must be made every timewhen a new digital broadcast receiver set is purchased or introducedinto a home, and at the same time, a control or management of receivingcontracts must be made for each of the digital broadcast receiver setsseparately, therefore it takes a time and labor or is rathertroublesome.

Further, for viewing the PPV broadcast programs, other than thecontract, a connection of the digital broadcast receiver set with atelephone circuit is also necessary so as to notify the chargeinformation to the providers of the broadcast programs.

Accordingly, in order to provide a plurality of the digital broadcastreceiver sets, a consideration must be paid not only on thelocation-thereof but also on the construction for connecting it with thetelephone circuit.

Moreover, it can be conceived that the broadcasting services basicallycomes to be the charge or pay services when the digitalizationprogresses in the future on the BS and the ground radio waves, and inthat instance, any means will be necessitated for protecting fromillegal viewing and recording of the programs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-receivingcontract service, being convenient or friendly to both the broadcastservice providers and the viewers, or to provide a digital broadcastreceiver set, an information apparatus and a digital broadcastingreceiving system, which are widely usable and able to reproduce therecorded broadcast programs.

For achieving the object, according to the present invention, there isprovided a receiver set connectable to a plurality of informationapparatuses through a bus, comprising:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data sentthrough a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting a desired compressed data from saidmultiplexed and compressed data on a basis of a channel requirement sentfrom the information apparatus; and

outputting means for outputting said desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided areceiver set connectable to a plurality of information apparatusesthrough a bus, comprising:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data sentthrough a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting a desired compressed data from saidmultiplexed and compressed data on a basis of a channel requirement sentfrom the information apparatus;

decision means for deciding whether said desired compressed data can beoutputted to said information apparatuses upon a basis of whether unfairconduct is existed or not; and

outputting means for outputting said desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatus upon a decision made by said decision means.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is also provideda receiver set connectable to a plurality of information apparatusesthrough a bus, comprising:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data sentthrough a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting a desired compressed data from saidmultiplexed and compressed data on a basis of a channel requirement sentfrom the information apparatus;

management means for managing information relating to a receivingcontract between a data provider;

decision means for deciding whether said desired compressed data can beoutputted to said information apparatuses upon a basis of theinformation relating to said receiving contract; and

outputting means for outputting said desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatus upon a decision made by said decision means.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is also provideda receiver set connectable to a plurality of information apparatusesthrough a bus, comprising:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data sentthrough a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting a desired compressed data from saidmultiplexed and compressed data on a basis of a channel requirement sentfrom the information apparatus;

management means for managing information relating to a receivingcontract between a data provider;

decision means for deciding whether said desired compressed data can beoutputted to said information apparatuses upon a basis of theinformation relating to said receiving contract; and

outputting means for outputting said desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatus upon a decision made by said decision means.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is also provideda receiver set connectable to a plurality of information apparatusesthrough a bus, comprising:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data sentthrough a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting a desired compressed data from saidmultiplexed and compressed data on a basis of a channel requirement sentfrom the information apparatus;

supervising means for supervising information relating to output to saidplurality of information apparatuses;

decision means for deciding whether said desired compressed data can beoutputted to said information apparatuses upon a basis of theinformation relating to said output; and

outputting means for outputting said desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatus upon a decision made by said decision means.

Moreover, according to the present invention, there is provided areceiver set connectable to a plurality of information apparatusesthrough a bus, comprising:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data sentthrough a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting a desired compressed data from saidmultiplexed and compressed data on a basis of a channel requirement sentfrom the information apparatus;

coding means for coding said desired compressed data; and outputtingmeans for outputting said desired compressed data to said informationapparatus.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is also provideda receiver set connectable to a plurality of information apparatusesthrough a bus, comprising:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data sentthrough a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting a desired compressed data from saidmultiplexed and compressed data on a basis of a channel requirement sentfrom the information apparatus;

certifying means for certifying whether said information apparatuses bea regular one or not;

decision means for deciding whether said desired compressed data can beoutputted to said information apparatuses upon a basis of certificationby said certifying means; and

outputting means for outputting said desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatuses on a basis of a decision made by said decisionmeans.

Moreover, according to the present invention, there is provided aninformation apparatus connectable to a receiver and/or an informationapparatus through a bus, comprising:

input means for inputting desired compressed data from the receiver orthe other information apparatus on a basis of a channel requirement ofsending to the receiver or the other information apparatus.

And also, according to the present invention, there is provided aninformation apparatus connectable to a receiver and/or an informationapparatus through a bus, comprising:

decision means for deciding whether desired compressed can be inputtedor not on a basis of a decision send from the receiver whether saiddesired compressed data can be outputted or not;

input means for inputting said desired compressed data from the receiveror the other information apparatus on a basis of a decision made by saiddecision means.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided aninformation apparatus connectable to a receiver and/or an informationapparatus through a bus, comprising:

input means for inputting desired compressed data encoded from thereceiver or another information apparatus, upon a channel requirementfor sending to the receiver or the another information apparatus; and

de-scrambling means for de-scrambling the desired compressed datascrambled.

Moreover, according to the present invention, there is provided areceiving system, in which a receiver is connected with a plurality ofinformation apparatuses through a bus, wherein said receiver comprises:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data which issent on a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting compressed data desired from saidmultiplexed and compressed data upon a channel requirement which is sentfrom the information apparatus; and output means for outputting saiddesired compressed data to said information apparatus, and wherein saidinformation apparatus comprises:

input means for inputting said desired compressed data from saidreceiver.

And then, according to the present invention, there is further provideda receiving system, in which a receiver is connected with a plurality ofinformation apparatuses through a bus, wherein said receiver comprises:

receiving means for receiving multiplexed and compressed data which issent on a predetermined channel;

extracting means for extracting compressed data desired from saidmultiplexed and compressed data upon a channel requirement which is sentfrom the information apparatus;

output means for outputting said desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatus;

decision means for deciding whether said the desired compressed data canbe outputted to said information apparatus upon a basis that there isunfairness or not; and

output means for outputting the desired compressed data to saidinformation apparatus upon a basis of the decision of said decisionmeans, and wherein, said information apparatus comprises:

decision means for deciding whether said desired compressed can beinputted or not upon a basis of the decision whether desired compresseddata can be outputted not; and

input means for inputting said desired compressed data from saidreceiver upon a basis of the decision of said decision means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Those and other features, objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in whichconstruction the present invention is applied to a digital broadcastingreceiving system;

FIG. 2 shows one example of construction of a digital broadcast receiverset of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows one example of construction of an output device such as aTV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows one example of construction of a recording apparatus suchas a VTR and a DVD;

FIG. 5 shows one example of construction of a receiving contractinformation data;

FIG. 6 shows one example of construction of an output destination statusinformation;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for showing steps of distributing the broadcastprograms in the digital broadcast receiver set;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for showing steps of receiving and reproducingthe broadcast programs in a digital TV;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for showing steps of alternating the presentdistributed designation of the broadcast programs in the digitalbroadcast receiver set;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for showing steps of alternating the presentdistributed designation of the broadcast programs in the digital TV;

FIG. 11 shows an example of an alarming or warning display which isindicated by the digital TV or the recording apparatus;

FIG. 12 shows an example of a list display of apparatuses or devicesbeing presently used, by the digital TV or the recording apparatus;

FIG. 13 shows an another example of the alarming or warning displaywhich is indicated by the digital TV or the recording apparatus;

FIG. 14 shows an another embodiment of the present invention, in whichconstruction the present invention is also applied to the digitalbroadcast receiving system; and,

FIG. 15 shows the construction of the digital TV, in particular, inwhich the digital broadcast receiver set in FIG. 14 is installed (i.e.,a digital broadcast receiver set built-in digital TV).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will befully explained by referring to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment for explaining the present invention, inparticular the construction in a case where the present invention isapplied into a digital broadcasting receiving system within a home 20.

In this example, a digital broadcast receiver 100 for receiving digitalbroadcast programs with use of the communication satellites or theground waves, digital TVs 110 a-110 c for displaying the broadcastprograms, a digital VTR 120 for recording the broadcast program dataonto a magnetic tape, a recording apparatus 130 for recording thebroadcast program data onto a digital information recording medium suchas the DVD, and a PC (personal computer) 140 are connected to oneanother through a bus 10, such as the IEEE 1394 serial bus or USB.

Here, as the digital broadcast receiver system for use in a home 20, itis so assumed that the digital TV 110 a and the digital VTR 120 areprovide in a room A 21, the digital TV 110 b, the DVD 130 and the PC 140in a room B 22, and the digital TV 110 c in a room C 23.

However, the digital VTR 120 or the DVD 130 may be a recordingapparatus, such as so-called HD, MO, etc., with which the data isrecorded onto a magnetic disc or an optical disc.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the construction of the digitalbroadcast receiver set 100 will be explained.

The digital broadcast receiver set 100 comprises a tuner portion 201, ade-scrambling portion 202, a designated program divider portion 203, anoutput format converter 204, a coding/decoding converter 205, an AV dataoutputting portion 206, a controller portion 207, a command input/outputportion 208, a charge information managing portion 209, a modem portion210, a timer program managing portion 211, a receiving contract managingportion 212, an output destination supervising portion 213, and acertify processing portion 214.

The tuner portion 201 is a portion provided for selecting a one at adesire from a plurality channels, through which the programs aretransmitted and for decoding the digitally coded program.

The de-scrambling portion 202 for designated programs is a portionprovided for removing or canceling the scramble put onto the broadcastprogram data, so as to enable only a receiving contractor to receive thebroadcast programs from the broadcast provider with whom the receivingcontract was made.

The program divider portion 203 is a portion provided for extracting thevideo/audio data from the broadcast program data which is multiplexedand transmitted, corresponding to the broadcast programs at the desireof the user.

The output format converter 204 is a portion provided for converting thebroadcast program data which is received at the desire of the user intoan output format required by a reproducing apparatus or a recordingapparatus, which are connected to the present digital broadcast receiverset 100.

The coding/decoding converter 205 is a portion provided for executingthe coding process onto data and commands to be sent and for executingthe decoding process onto the data and commands received, for protectingfrom unfair or wrongful obtaining of the data on the way, whentransmitting the broadcast program data and the various commands betweenthe output device and the recording apparatus and so on, which areconnected to the present broadcast receiver set 100.

The AV data outputting portion 206 is a portion provide for sending thebroadcasting program data to the output device and the recordingapparatus which are connected to the present digital broadcast receiverset 100.

The controller portion 207 is a portion for totally controlling theoperations of various portions in the present digital broadcast receiverset 100.

The command input/output portion 208 is a portion provided for sendingand receiving the various commands between the output device and/or therecording apparatus, which are connected to the present digitalbroadcast receiver set 100.

The charge information managing portion 209 is a portion provided formanaging the information relating to the charges when viewing andrecording the pay broadcast program and/or the PPV.

The modem portion 210 is a portion provided for sending a programrequest instruction and/or the charge information to the broadcastprovider.

The timer program managing portion 211 is a portion provided formanaging the timer program information in a timer programming process ofviewing and recording the broadcast programs.

The receiving contract managing portion 212 is a portion for managingthe information relating to the receiving contract between the broadcastprovider and the user or viewer. The output destination supervisingportion 213 is a portion for supervising the device(s) and apparatus(es)to which the broadcast program data is outputted from the presentdigital broadcast receiver set 100, at present.

And, the certify processing portion 214 is a portion provided forcertifying that it is a product regularly manufactured under anapproval, to which apparatus the broadcast program data is outputted,(i.e., that the apparatus does not view the programs illegally nor copyunfairly).

One of the features of the present invention lies in that, within thepresent digital broadcast receiver set 110 a, there are provided thedesignated program divider portion 203, the receiving contract managingportion 212, and the output destination supervising portion 213, therebyenabling protection of the broadcast programs from the illegal viewingand/or the unfair recording thereof.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the constructions of the digital TVs 110a-110 c of FIG. 1 will be explained. However, all of those are same inthe construction thereof, therefore, here will be explained theconstruction of only one of them, as that of the digital TV 110.

The digital TV 110, as the one example of the present invention,comprises an AV data input portion 301, a coding/decoding conversionportion 302, a decoder portion 303, a video DA portion 304, an audio DAportion 305, a command input/output portion 306, a controller portion307, a timer program managing portion 308, a certify processing portion309, a reproduced output managing portion 310, and an alarm processingportion 311.

The AV data input portion 301 is a portion provided for sending andreceiving the video audio data from the digital broadcast receiver setand/or the recording apparatus, which are connected to the presentdigital TV 110.

The coding/decoding conversion portion 302 is provided for executing thecoding process on the data and commands to be sent or for executing thedecoding process on the data and commands to be received, for protectingthem from the unfair obtaining on the way, when sending and/or receivingthe broadcasting program data and/or the various commands between thedigital broadcast receiver set and the recording apparatus, which areconnected to the present digital TV(s) 110.

The decoder portion 303 is provided for decoding the compressedvideo/audio data to be extended into the original video/audio data.

The video DA portion 304 is provided for converting the video data whichis extended by the decoder portion 303 into an analogue video signal tobe outputted.

The audio DA portion 305 is provided for converting the audio data whichis extended by the decoder portion 303 into an analogue audio signal tobe outputted.

The command input/output portion 306 is provided for sending andreceiving the various commands between the digital broadcast receiverset and the recording apparatus which are connected to the presentdigital TV 110.

The controller portion 307 is provided for totally controllingoperations of various portions in the present digital TV 110.

The timer program managing portion 308 is provided for managing timerprogram information in the process of timer programming for the timerview (i.e., the viewing with use of the timer) of the broadcastprograms.

The certify processing portion 309 is provided for executing thecertifying process to decide whether the apparatus, i.e., the digitalbroadcast receiver set or the recording apparatus, is regularlycertified and is produced or not.

The reproduced output managing portion 310 is provided for decidingwhether the present digital TV 110 is reproducing the charge or paybroadcasting program or not at present.

The alarm processing portion 311 is provided for notifying that thebroadcast program which is designated by the user is unable to beviewed, or for notifying that the viewing at the present time will beinterrupted.

In the same manner, with reference to FIG. 4, the construction of thedigital VTR 120 of FIG. 1 will be explained. Further, the DVD 130 hasalso similar construction thereto.

The digital VTR 120 comprises an AV data input/output portion 410, acoding/decoding conversion portion 420, a recording/reproducing portion430, a command input/output portion 440, a controller portion 450, arecording management portion 460, an alarm processing portion 470, atimer program managing portion 480, and a certify processing portion490.

The AV data input portion 401 is a portion provided for sending andreceiving the video audio data between the digital broadcast receiverset and/or the recording apparatus, which are connected to the presentdigital VTR 120.

The coding/decoding conversion portion 420 is a portion being same tothe coding/decoding (scrambling/de-scrambling) conversion portion 302 inthe above-mentioned present digital TV 110.

The recording/reproducing portion 430 is a portion provided forexecuting the recording and reproducing of the video/audio datareceived.

The command input/output portion 440 is a portion same to the commandinput/output portion 306 in the above-mentioned present digital TV 110.

The controller portion 450 is a portion provided for totally control theoperations of various portions in the present digital VTR 120.

The recording management portion 460 is a portion for deciding whetherthe present digital VTR is recording the charge or pay program atpresent or not.

The alarm processing portion 470 is provided for notifying that thebroadcast program which is designated by the user is unable to berecorded, or for notifying that the recording at the present time willbe interrupted.

The timer program managing portion 480 is provided for managing timerprogram information in a process of programming the timer recording ofthe broadcast programs.

The certify processing portion 490 is same to the certify processingportion 309 in the above-mentioned present digital TV 110.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the contents of a receiving contractinformation data 500 which are controlled or managed by the receivingcontract managing portion 212 in the digital broadcast receiver set 100.

The receiving contract information data 500 is composed of a contract ID510, a receiving contract channel 520, a number of the viewing contracts530, and a number of recording contracts 540.

The contract ID 510 is an only one identifier for identifying to be theuser with whom the broadcasting provider made the receiving contract(i.e., the digital broadcast receiver set 100), and it is determinedwhen the receiving contract is made.

The receiving contract channel 520 indicates the channel through whichthe user is able to view or record the programs upon the receivingcontract identified by the contract ID 510. In this example, thecontracts are made for two of the channel 210 (CH 210) and the channel430 (CH 430).

The number of viewing contracts 530 indicates a number of the outputapparatuses on which the broadcast program data can be seen or viewed atthe same time by the user through the receiving contract channel 520. Inthis example, the channel 210 can be viewed on two (2) sets at the sametime, and the channel 430 on only one (1) set.

The recording contract number 540 indicates the number of the recordingapparatuses on which the broadcast program data can be outputted to berecorded at the same time through the receiving contract channel 520. Inthis example, the channel 210 can be outputted for recording only to one(1) set, while the channel 430 zero (0) set.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of contents of the outputdestination status information data, which is managed in the supervisingportion 213 of FIG. 2, within the digital broadcast receiver set 100 ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

The output destinations status information data 600 is composed of areceiving contract channel 610, a “viewing apparatus” 620, and a“recording apparatus” 630.

The receiving contract channel 610 is same to the above-mentionedreceiving contract channel 520. Namely, in this example, the channel 210(CH 210) and the channel 430 (CH 430) are shown.

The “viewing apparatus” 620 indicates the only one identifier foridentifying the output apparatus to which the broadcast program data onthe receiving contract channel 610 is outputted at present, among theplurality of the output apparatuses connected onto the bus 10. This maybe an address of the apparatus which is previously given to eachapparatus on the bus. In this example, with the channel 210, it isindicated that only one (1) set of the apparatuses is outputted atpresent, and that the broadcast program data is outputted to the outputapparatus 621 identified by a Node_ID_1.

The “recording apparatus” 630 indicates the only one identifier foridentifying the recording apparatuses to which the broadcast programdata on the receiving contract channel 610 is outputted at present,among the plurality of the recording apparatuses connected onto the bus10. This may be an address of the apparatus which is previously given toeach apparatus on the bus. In this example, with the channel 210, it isindicated that only one (1) set of the apparatuses is recording atpresent, and that the broadcasting program data is outputted to theoutput apparatus 631 identified by a Node_ID_3.

Here, the output destinations status information data 600 is producedbased on the contents of the above-mentioned receiving contractinformation data 500, which is managed in the above-mentioned receivingcontract managing portion 212 and read into by the output destinationsupervising portion 213 when an electric power of the above-mentioneddigital broadcast receiver set 100 is turned ON.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, an explanation will be given on aprocess in which the digital broadcast receiver set 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2distributes the broadcast programs at the desire of the user to thedigital TVs 110 a-110 c as the output apparatuses. For easilyunderstanding, it is assumed that the broadcast program provided on thechannel 210 is viewed on the digital TV 110 b and is also recorded ontothe DVD 130, at the present, and a receiving requirement to the channel210 is newly issued from the digital TV 110 a.

First of all, with reference to FIG. 7, a process of distributing thebroadcast programs at the side of the digital broadcast receiver set 100of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The digital broadcast receiver set 100, after being turned ON with theelectric power and completing a set-up process thereof, is in acondition of waiting for receiving the channel requirement from theother apparatuses connected with the bus 10 (step 711), and then watcheswhether there is the, channel requirement or not in the commandinput/output portion 208 of FIG. 2 (step 712). Here, when receiving adistribution requirement of the channel 210 from the digital TV 110 a ofFIG. 1, the controller portion 207 of FIG. 2 reads in the outputdestinations status information data which are managed in the outputdestination supervising portion 213 (step 713), and checks whether thebroadcast program at the desire of the user can be distributed or notwithin a region of the receiving contract (step 714). According to theoutput destination status information data 600 of FIG. 6, the viewingcontract number is two (2) with respect to the receiving contractchannel 210 (see reference numeral 611 in the figure), and as mentionedpreviously, in FIG. 1, the broadcast program is distributed at presentto the digital TV 110 b (the output apparatus 621) and the DVD 130 (therecording apparatus 631). Accordingly, the distribution requirement fromthe digital TV 110 a of FIG. 1 is within the range of the contractedviewing number, therefore it is possible to distribute the broadcastprogram, then the fact is notified to the digital TV 110 a of FIG. 1through the command input/output portion 208 of FIG. 2. And, in thecertify processing portion 214 of FIG. 2, it is certified whether thedigital TV 110 a is the apparatus that is regularly certified andproduced or not (i.e., whether it is the apparatus contributing theillegal viewing or not) (step 715), and if it is decided to be theregular or proper apparatus then is written into the “viewing apparatus”622 in the above-mentioned output status information data 600 by theapparatus ID indicative of the digital TV 110 a of FIG. 1 (step 716).Then, the decoding process is treated upon the broadcast program data onthe channel 210 in the coding/decoding conversion portion 205, and it isdistributed from the AV data output portion 206 to the digital TV 110 aof FIG. 1 (step 717). After the distribution, it turns back into thecondition of waiting for receiving the channel requirement (step 711).Next, following the processes mentioned in the above, when thedistribution requirement of the channel 210 is received from the digitalTV 110 c of FIG. 1, in the same manner mentioned in the above, theprocesses in the steps 713 and 714 are executed. As a result of this, itexceeds the viewable contract number two (2) of the receiving contractchannel 210, therefore it is impossible to distribute the broadcastprogram and then that fact is notified to the digital TV 110 c of FIG. 1(step 718). Then, it is checked whether there is a requirement to alteror change the present distribution designation or not from the digitalTV 110 c (step 719). If there is no altering requirement, the step turnsback into the condition of waiting for receiving the channel requirement(step 711), while if there is the altering requirement, a process foraltering or changing the distribution designation is executed (step720). In more detail of this altering process will be described laterwith referring to FIG. 9.

Next, with referring to FIG. 8, an explanation will be given on aprocess of receiving and reproducing the broadcasting program at thedesire the user in the digital TV 110 a and 110 c.

First, when the channel is selected by the user with use of the inputdevice, such as a remote controller or the like (step 800), the digitalTV 110 a of FIG. 1 issues a command for requiring the broadcast programon the channel to be distributed to it at the desire of the user,through the command input/output portion 306 of FIG. 3 to the digitalbroadcasting receiver 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 (step 810). Then, thedetermination is made whether the broadcast program is distributed fromthe digital broadcast receiver set 100 or not (step 820). As the resultof this, as was mentioned previously, since the distribution requirementof the digital TV 110 a is accepted in the digital broadcast receiverset 100, the digital TV 110 a receives the decision that thedistribution is possible. After that, the certify processing is executedbetween the digital broadcast receiver set 100 (step 830), and the AVdata input portion 301 of FIG. 3 receives the code-processed broadcastprogram data which is distributed from the digital broadcast receiverset 100 (step 840). Then, the removal of the coding onto the broadcastprogram data is executed in the coding/decoding portion 302, and then isdivided into the video data and the audio data in the decoder portion303. Thereby, the video data and the audio data are outputted to theuser at the video DA portion 304 and the audio DA portion 305,respectively (step 850).

Next, an explanation will be given on a case where the digital TV 110 cof FIG. 1 issues the distribution requirement of the broadcast program.In those steps 800 through 820, the same processes as mentioned in theabove are executed. Since the digital broadcast receiver set 100 refusesthe following distribution requirement received from the digital TV 110c, the digital TV 110 c receives the notice that it cannot distribute inthe step 820. Then, the digital TV 110 c notifies to the user bydisplaying the alarm or warning display screen noticing that the desiredbroadcast program cannot be viewed, or audibly explaining or indicatingthe alarm or warning in the alarm processing portion 311 (step 860).And, it is decided whether the requirement for alternating or changingthe present output destination of the digital broadcast receiver set 100is instructed from the user or not (step 870). As the result of this, ifthere is a requirement of interrupting the viewing of either one of thedigital TV 110 an and 110 b, which are presently outputting the view,from the user since the user insists to view with the digital TV 110 c,the requirement for alternating or changing the output destination isissued to the digital broadcasting receiver 100 (step 880), therebyexecuting the alternating or changing process of the output destination(step 890). More detail of the alternating or changing process will bementioned later with referring to FIG. 10. While, in the step 870, theprocess is ended in the case where the alternation or change of theoutput designation is not instructed from the user.

Next, with referring to FIG. 9, the detail of the alternating orchanging process of the distribution destination for the broadcastprograms (i.e., in the step 720) at the side of the digital broadcastreceiver set 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained.

The digital broadcast receiver set 100 reads in the contents of theoutput status information data 600 of FIG. 6, which is managed in theoutput destination supervising portion 213 of FIG. 2, when it receivesthe requirement for alternating or changing the distribution destinationfor the broadcast program from the digital TV 110 c of FIG. 1, andobtains the information relating to the apparatus to which the output ispresently provided (step 910 in FIG. 9). Then, it sends the informationto the digital TV 110 c so as to require it to select the apparatus tobe interrupted with the output, among the apparatuses (step 920). And,it decides whether the apparatus to be interrupted is selected by theuser or not (step 930). As the result of this, when no apparatus to beinterrupted is selected by the digital TV 110 c, it turns back into thecondition of waiting for receiving the channel requirement (step 711).When the apparatus to be interrupted is selected by the digital TV 110c, for example, when the digital TV 110 a is selected, first of all tothe digital TV 110 a is given the notice that the present distributionof program will be interrupted and the program distribution isinterrupted directly after that or after a few minutes later than that.And, the data relating to the digital TV 110 a, which is described inthe output status information data 600, is deleted (step 940). Then theprocesses after the above-mentioned certify processing (the step 715)are executed.

Next, with referring to FIG. 10, detailed explanation will be given onthe process (the step 890) of alternating or changing the distributiondestination of the broadcast program at the side of the digital TV 110 cof FIGS. 1 and 2.

The digital TV 110 c displays a screen listing up the apparatuses whichare presently used (step 1010) on the basis of the information relatingto the present output destination which is sent simultaneously, when itreceives the selection requirement of the apparatus to be interruptedfrom the digital broadcast receiver set 100, and lets the user to selectthe apparatus to be interrupted among them (step 1020). Then, itnotifies to the digital broadcast receiver set 100 on the apparatuswhich is selected (step 1030).

Here, an example of the alarming or warning screen 1100 displayed to theuser by the digital TV 110 c of FIG. 1 in the step 860 of FIG. 8 isshown in FIG. 11. On the displayed screen 1100, if the user selects anitem “complete process” 1110, the process of requiring the programdistribution is completed.

If the user selects an item “interrupt apparatus now used” 1120, alist-up screen 1200 of the apparatuses which are presently used as shownin FIG. 12 is displayed in the step 1010. On the screen 1200, if theuser instructs <return> 1220, the screen turns back to the screen 1100.If the user selects the apparatus to be interrupted and instructs<determine> 1210, it waits for the distribution of the desired broadcastprogram.

Further, in the step 940, the digital TV 110 a, to which theinterruption of program distribution is notified from the digitalbroadcast receiver set 100, displays such the alarming or warning screen1300 as shown in FIG. 13.

In the example mentioned in the above, there are mainly mentioned aboutthe processes of program distribution among the digital broadcastreceiver set 100 and the digital TVs 110 a-110 c.

Next, a brief explanation will be given of the process of programdistribution with the digital VTR 120 or the DVD 130.

First, it is assumed that the digital VTR 120 is recording the broadcastprogram of the channel 210, and that the apparatus ID relating to thedigital VTR 120 is described into the “recording apparatus” within theoutput status information data 600 of the output destination supervisingportion 213 of the digital broadcast receiver set 100. Here, if there isa recording requirement of the same broadcast program from the DVD 130,the above-mentioned recording requirement is not accepted since therecording contract number is one (1).

From the above, in the present embodiment, the designated programdividing portion 203 of FIG. 2, the receiving contract managing portion212 and the output destination supervising portion 213 are provided inthe digital broadcast receiver set 100, with in the system where thedigital broadcast receiver set 100, the output apparatuses 110 (110a-110 c) and the recording apparatuses 120 and 130 are connected to thecontrol bus 10, as shown in FIG. 1, and the alarm processing portions311 and 470 of FIGS. 3 and 4 are provided in the output apparatuses 110(110 a-110 c) and the recording apparatuses of FIG. 1. And, as mentionedin the above, if the digital broadcast receiver 100 receives the outputrequirement of broadcast program, it checks whether the requirementshould be accepted or rejected on the contents of the receivingcontract. Thereby, it is possible to protect the digital broadcastprograms from the illegal viewing or the unfair recording with ease.

Here, the output destination supervising portion 213 of the digitalbroadcast receiver set 100 supervises only the number of the presentoutput destinations, but not the information relating to the outputdesignations. In this instance, a requirement for obtaining theinformation relating to the present output condition or the recordingcondition and the programs is issued directly to the reproduced outputmanaging portion 310 and the recording management portion 460 of theeach apparatus connected onto the bus 10, so as to obtain theinformation relating to the each apparatus.

Further, in the present embodiment, the digital broadcast receivingsystem can be constructed by only one (1) set of the digital broadcastreceiver set 100, therefore, there is no necessity of purchasing theplurality of digital broadcast receiver sets, omitting the labor andtime for making the receiving contracts which are separately necessary,thereby reducing the burden on the user.

However, the digital broadcast receiver set 100 of FIG. 1 may becombined as one body together with either one of the output apparatusand the recording apparatus, or with both of them, as shown in FIGS. 14and 15.

In the example of FIG. 14, the digital TV 1400, which has a built-indigital broadcast receiver set in it, distributes the programs to theother output apparatus(es) and/or the recording apparatus(es). In thismanner, the receiver set 100, which is combined with or built-in withinthe output apparatus and/or the recording apparatus, distributes theprograms to the other output apparatus(es) and/or the recordingapparatus(es).

FIG. 15 shows one example of the digital TV 1400 built in with thedigital broadcast receiver set, and it is constructed by combining thedigital broadcasting receiver 100 of FIG. 2 and the digital TV 110 ofFIG. 3. In this manner, the receiver set formed with the outputapparatus and the recording apparatus as one body can be constructed bycombining the digital broadcast receiver set 100 of FIG. 2, the digitalTV 110 of FIG. 3, and the digital VTR 120 of FIG. 4.

Furthermore, it can be also conceived that a priority is set up inadvance, so that the digital TV will not interrupted with the presentoutput from the digital broadcast receiver set 100, in the similarmanner as in the timer programming operation.

According to the invention mentioned in the above, the following effectscan be obtained:

(1) Broadcasting program can be distributed or transmitted to theplurality of apparatuses at the same time by one receiver for thedigital broadcasting, and the digital broadcasting programs can beviewed in a home or in a condominium including several householdstherein, efficiently and economically.

(2) A control or management of the receiving contracts becomes easy tobe done.

(3) Illegal viewing and unfair recording of the charge or pay programs,including the PPV broadcasting program, can be easily inhibited thereby.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withour invention, it should be understood that disclosed embodiments aresusceptible of changes and modifications without departing from thescope of the invention. Therefore, we do not intended to be bound by thedetails shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changesand modifications fall within the ambit of the appended claims.

1. A data distribution apparatus connectable with a plural number ofconnection equipments, comprising: a distribution portion, which isconfigured to distribute data to said connection equipments; a memoryportion, which is configured to memorize a limited number for limitingsaid connection equipments, to which the data can be distributed fromsaid distribution portion; a receiving portion, which is configured toreceive a signal for requesting distribution of said data from saidconnection equipments; and a distribution controller portion, which isconfigured to control distribution of the data to the connectionequipment sending out the data distribution requesting signal whenreceiving said data distribution requesting signal from the connectionequipments, which is connected with said data distribution apparatus,depending upon distributing condition of the data to the connectionequipment other than those, which send out said data distributionrequest signal, wherein said distribution controller portion makesdecision on whether a number of the connection equipments underdistribution of data is equal to said limited number or not, or a numberof said connection equipments is smaller than said limited number ornot, when receiving the data distribution requesting signal from theconnection equipment, to which said data is not distributed by saidreceiving portion during the distribution of data from said distributionportion to said connection equipment, thereby controlling thedistribution of data to the connection equipment sending out said datadistribution request signal with using a result of said decision.
 2. Thedata distribution apparatus, as described in the claim 1, wherein saiddistribution controller portion transmits a signal of not distributingthe data, which is requested from said distribution portion, to theconnection equipment outputting said data distribution request signal,when said distribution controller portion decides that the number of theconnection equipments under distribution of data is equal to said limitnumber, or when deciding that the number of said connection equipmentsis not smaller than said limit number.
 3. The data distributionapparatus, as described in the claim 1, further comprising: a certifyingportion, which is configured to certify that said connection equipment,to which said data is distributed, is a regularly certified one or not,wherein said distribution controller portion makes said certifyingportion certify as to whether said other apparatuses are the regularlycertified ones or not, when deciding that the number of said connectionequipments is smaller than said limit number.
 4. The data distributionapparatus, as described in the claim 3, wherein said distributioncontroller portion distributes the data from said data distributionportion to said connection equipments, when said certifying portioncertifies that the connection equipment outputting said datadistribution request signal is the regularly certified one.
 5. A datadistribution apparatus connectable with a plural number of connectionequipments, comprising: a distribution portion, which is configured todistribute data to said connection equipments; a memory portion, whichis configured to memorize a limit number for limiting said connectionequipments, to which the data can be distributed from said distributionportion; a receiving portion, which is configured to receive a signalfor requesting distribution of said data from said connection equipment;and a distribution controller portion, which is configured to controldistribution of the data to the connection equipment sending out thedata distribution requesting signal when receiving said datadistribution requesting signal from the connection equipment, which isconnected with said data distribution apparatus, depending upon saidlimit number, wherein said distribution controller portion makes adecision as to whether a number obtained by adding a number of theconnection equipments under distribution of data and a number ofconnection equipments, each outputting the data distribution requestsignal, exceeds said limit number or not, when receiving the datadistribution requesting signal from the connection equipment, to whichsaid data is not distributed by said receiving portion during thedistribution of data from said distribution portion to said connectionequipment, thereby controlling the distribution of data to theconnection equipment sending out said data distribution request signalwith using a result of said decision.
 6. The data distributionapparatus, as described in the claim 5, wherein said distributioncontroller portion transmits a signal of not distributing the data,which is requested from said distribution portion, to the connectionequipment outputting said data distribution request signal, whendeciding that the number obtained by adding the number of the connectionequipments under distribution of data and the number of connectionequipments, each outputting the data distribution request signal,exceeds said limit number.
 7. The data distribution apparatus, asdescribed in the claim 5, further comprising: a certifying portion,which is configured to certify that said connection equipment, to whichsaid data is distributed, is a regularly certified one or not, whereinsaid distribution controller portion makes said certifying portioncertify as to whether said other apparatuses are the regularly certifiedones or not, when the number obtained by adding the number of theconnection equipments under distribution of data and the number ofconnection equipments, each outputting the data distribution requestsignal, does not exceed said limit number.
 8. The data distributionapparatus, as described in the claim 7, wherein said distributioncontroller portion distributes the data from said data distributionportion to said connection equipments, when said certifying portioncertifies that the connection portion outputting said data distributionrequest signal is the regularly certified one.
 9. A data distributionapparatus connectable with a plural number of connection equipments,comprising: a distribution portion, which is configured to distributedata to said connection equipments; a receiving portion, which isconfigured to receive a signal for requesting distribution of said datafrom said connection equipments; a memory portion, which is configuredto memorize a number of possibility for distributing said data to saidconnection equipments when receiving the data distributing requestsignal, within said receiving portion; and a distribution controllerportion, which is configured to control distribution of the data to theconnection equipment sending out the data distribution requestingsignal, when receiving said data distribution requesting signal from theconnection equipment, which is connected with said data distributionapparatus, depending upon said number of possibility for distributingsaid data to said connection apparatuses, wherein said distributioncontroller portion controls the distribution of data to the connectionequipment, which transmits said data distribution request signal,responding to the number of possibility for distributing of said memoryportion, when receiving the data distribution requesting signal from theconnection equipment, to which said data is not distributed, duringdistribution of the data from said distribution portion to theconnection equipments.
 10. The data distribution apparatus, as describedin the claim 9, wherein said distribution controller portion transmits asignal of not distributing the data, which is requested from saiddistribution portion, to the connection equipment outputting said datadistribution request signal, when deciding that the number of theconnection equipments outputting the data distribution request signalexceeds said number of possibility for distributing the data.
 11. Thedata distribution apparatus, as described in the claim 9, furthercomprising: a certifying portion, which is configured to certify thatsaid connection equipment, to which said data is distributed, is aregularly certified one or not, wherein said distribution controllerportion makes said certifying portion certifies as to whether said otherapparatuses are the regularly certified ones or not, when deciding thatthe number of the connection equipments outputting the data distributionrequest signal is smaller than said number of possibility fordistributing the data.
 12. The data distribution apparatus as describedin claim 11, wherein said distribution controller portion distributesthe data from said data distribution portion to said connectionequipments, when said certifying portion certifies that the connectionportion outputting said data distribution request signal is theregularly certified one.